AZ HB2831

Amends Arizona's school safety program (A.R.S. 15-154) to allow school districts and charter schools to directly apply for grants to purchase safety technology, safety training, and infrastructure improvements without first having an approved proposal for personnel placement.

Previously, schools could only request funding for safety technology and infrastructure as an "alternative" proposal if they were unable to place school resource officers, counselors, or social workers as outlined in an already-approved personnel proposal.

The change removes the requirement that schools must first demonstrate they cannot fill personnel positions before accessing funds for safety equipment, training programs, and physical security improvements like securing entrances and exits.

The Department of Education will continue to review these program proposals using crime statistics to assess needs and may approve all or part of technology, training, or infrastructure improvement requests.